First set sail April 10, 1912, Southampton, Hampshire, England
Sank April 14–15, 1912, North Atlantic Ocean
Wreckage discovered September 1, 1985
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries—long before the days of air travel—there was a great need for large ships to carry travelers between the United States and Europe. The trip could be made in about two weeks. Wealthy, first-class passengers stayed on the upper decks of the ships, in rooms that were quite luxurious—like those of the best hotels. Second-class passengers stayed in more modest staterooms, located in the middle section of the ship. And underpriviledged passengers stayed in crowded third-class quarters on the back and lower decks of the boat, called steerage. At that time thousands of European immigrants hoping to build better lives in America made the trip in this way.
Bigger and faster ships were continually being built. Owned by the White Star Line, the R.M.S. Titanic was the largest ocean vessel of its time. It had taken nearly fifty thousand men two years to build it. The ship was 900 feet long, 92 feet wide, and had eight decks. It weighed 46,328 tons.
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